Dear readers and friends,
Today I'm sharing an article on the wonderful world of shamanism, its herbs, and beliefs. A journey through Celtic traditions and one of the most famous Reiki systems after Usui. Today we'll discuss another magnificent tree, beloved by Celtic tradition and beyond: the Poplar.
THE POPLAR TREE IN MYTH, LEGENDS AND FOLKLORE
The Latin name for poplar is "populus tremula," which means " trembling poplar" because its leaves appear to tremble in the wind. In Celtic mythology, this effect was said to be due to the tree's communication with the Otherworld . The trembling leaves helped the wind speak to the ancestors while also bringing gifts of inspiration and poetry. For these reasons, the poplar was sometimes known as the whispering tree. In England, even today, it is said that to know if rain is coming, simply stand under a poplar. If the leaves make a loud noise or tinkle, heavy rains will soon arrive. Christians, probably well aware of the poplar's protective and messenger uses, branded it as evil . In fact, they had the nasty habit of branding as evil all those trees that were sacred to those who loved nature. Thus, like many other trees, the poplar was singled out for providing the wood for the crucifixion cross, and for this very reason it still trembles with shame today. It was so widely disdained that, even quite recently, people could be seen throwing stones at poplars. In northern England, the long catkins of the black poplar were called "Devil's Fingers" and could bring disaster if picked or even touched. Being a tree associated with protection , its wood was used to build shields, not because it was the hardest and most durable wood, but because it provided protection, especially spiritual protection.
USE OF POPLAR IN ANTIQUITY
To cure
First of all, white poplar bark is rich in compounds with anti-inflammatory properties and can therefore be useful for relieving pain and inflammation in various conditions. It is also a natural sedative, and in fact, some white poplar-based preparations are used to promote relaxation and alleviate insomnia. It is also known for its calming effect on the nervous system. It is an expectorant, so much so that in some herbal traditions, white poplar has been used to relieve coughs and promote the expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract. Young white poplar leaves contain many antioxidants that can help combat the damage caused by free radicals in the body. White poplar essential oil is also used in aromatherapy, although to a lesser extent than other essences. It can be used in diffusers to create a relaxing atmosphere in the home, or as a bath oil, again to promote relaxation and relieve stress.
The bark is antipyretic.
The buds , harvested in spring, are balsamic and antiseptic. In folk magic, both the white poplar and the aspen were believed to cure fever, tremors, and paralysis, precisely because of their association with its tremor.
MAGICAL USE
A twig or a strip of diamond-shaped bark tucked under the pillow is said to bring peaceful, worry-free nights. Poplar was often an ingredient in witches' ointments. In ancient magical practices, it was used for purification, to cleanse places and objects. It was also used for communication with the spiritual world. Furthermore, it has always symbolized the capacity for rebirth and renewal. The white poplar is also associated with facilitating lucid dreams and visions during meditation and was also used to access altered states of consciousness. Furthermore, in some traditions, the white poplar was considered a protective tree, and therefore hanging branches or leaves above doors or windows was done to ward off negative influences.
ENERGETIC PROPERTIES (CELTIC REIKI)
Eadha is symbolically linked to the white poplar and helps overcome fear in its various forms: fear of the future, fear of responsibilities that can seem overwhelming, fear of the path we're taking, fear of our talents that we're afraid to express and bring to the world. It's a shield against what may happen on the road, on our life journey, and helps us work and face the issues that would otherwise drag us down. It strengthens our spiritual resolve and gives us the ability to stifle our fears. Eadha's energy is excellent when life's pressures become too much and a person fears they can't cope with the world around them. It works very well on the heart and throat chakras. It's extremely effective in overcoming fear, which is its main characteristic. It's a true shield against fear of the future and responsibilities, which can seem overwhelming, and the uncertainties associated with our life journey. We all fear what the future holds; we all fear, to a greater or lesser extent, the unknown. However, with the support of this symbol, Eadha, we feel stronger and more capable of facing challenges that would otherwise drag us down into a vortex of worry and anxiety about the future. This very characteristic frees us from this heaviness and from these worries we may have about the future. Therefore, when we feel overwhelmed by life's pressures, even the current ones, this letter offers us a sigh of relief. It allows us to face the issues that grip us without sinking into anxiety or worry, and allows us to proceed on life's path with a clearer mind and a lighter heart. It also strengthens our spiritual resolve, giving us the strength to face life's challenges with courage and determination, precisely because it eliminates the underlying fear of the unknown and the future. Even when fears surround us, Eadha reminds us that we have the ability to overcome them and walk with determination. It also teaches us that we can face our fears with a whisper rather than shouting, thus addressing them calmly and not necessarily forcefully. We can manage our worries in a more calm and balanced way, without letting fear overwhelm us, and therefore it is a powerful message of resilience and self-control. Finally, as we mentioned regarding chakra work, Eadha is associated with the heart and throat chakras, because these chakras are crucial for overcoming fear and for open and loving self-expression. How can we use this letter as a symbol? As mentioned with the previous symbols, first we can draw it on a piece of paper or write it on a natural surface such as wood, a white poplar leaf, or a branch, and this becomes your talisman of protection against fear. You could visualize the letter or use it during meditation. You could meditate under a white poplar tree and visualize the white poplar enveloping you and protecting you from fear. You could remember the Eadha symbol when you're facing an uncertain or frightening situation and remember its power to face and overcome fears, thus breathing its power within you. Or you could visualize the symbol or even simply recite its name as a mantra to help you overcome any fear, knowing that you have the strength and resolve to face any challenge in life. Additionally, if you're afraid of confronting your emotions or expressing your feelings, you can use Eadha to overcome these fears. For example, working on the heart chakra or the throat chakra as an energetic symbol, because challenging one's fears is an integral part of every person's spiritual journey. This is because, sooner or later, we will all find ourselves face to face with our fears, which we must overcome to move forward. Eadha supports us in this process and encourages us to grow as individuals, as divinities. In conclusion, we can say that Eadha is a very beautiful letter, a very important symbol that offers us great protection and support against life's uncertainties, against the fears we have about the future. Eadha is a symbol of resilience, determination, and freedom from worry. When we face the inevitable challenges that life will throw at us, we can turn to Eadha to find the inner strength needed to overcome any obstacle.
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